‘Superman’ writers won’t return

Dougherty, Harris will not pen sequel

“Superman Returns” scribes Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris have opted not to come back and pen a sequel to the 2006 summer pic that would have reunited them with helmer Bryan Singer. The three also worked together on “X2: X-Men United.”

As a result, WB is now taking pitches for Supe’s next outing from other scribes — just as the studio is trying to figure out which actor will don the character’s tights in “Justice League.”

Industry chatter claimed the studio would start fresh with a new take on the Man of Steel, as if the previous pic never happened.

Reasons mentioned were the introduction of Superman’s son with Lois Lane, as well as the film’s less-than-expected domestic haul of $200 million and another $191 million overseas.

Marvel Studios is adopting that let’s-try-again strategy with “The Hulk” at Universal, hoping a new pic, starring Edward Norton, will launch a franchise that Ang Lee’s 2003 actioner failed to do.

But WB denies such plans and said next pic would be a sequel with Brandon Routh likely to wear the “S” on his chest again. Legendary Pictures is co-developing and co-financing the project.

New pic also will up the action quotient, however — something Singer promised fanboys at last year’s Comic-Con in San Diego.

Dougherty and Harris are pursuing more directing gigs, with Dougherty having recently completed “Trick ‘R Treat” at WB as his first pic. He’s also looking to pen a graphic novel and children’s book.

Harris, who had previously helmed “Imaginary Heroes,” is writing and directing “I, Lucifer,” based on the book, with Daniel Craig attached to star.